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Bleu de Gex Cheese
Myrabella / CC BY-SA 3.0 & GFDL
Bleu de Gex, also known as Bleu du Haut-Jura or Gex, is a mild, creamy blue cheese from the Jura region on the border between France and Switzerland. It has subtle blue veining and a nutty, slightly earthy flavor. Bleu de Gex is less intense than other blue cheeses, making it a good introduction to the category.
What is Bleu de Gex Cheese?
Bleu de Gex, also known as Bleu du Haut-Jura or Bleu de Septmoncel, is a blue-veined cheese made from raw cow's milk. Its history dates back to the 13th century, with origins in the Jura Mountains. Developed by monks at the Abbaye de St. Claude, it was a favorite of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1530. Despite being lesser-known among blue cheeses, Bleu de Gex was the first to receive official protection in 1935. It earned its AOC status in 1977 and AOP status in 1996.
Today, about fifty farmsteads in the Haut-Jura Mountains supply milk to the four dairies producing Bleu de Gex, totaling 550 tons annually. This cheese exclusively uses milk from Montbéliarde or Simmental cows, grazing on the rich pastures of the region. This diet contributes to the cheese's aromatic diversity.
The production of Bleu de Gex remains traditional, with the cheese hand-molded into rounds. Each cheese, about 14–15 inches in diameter, weighs between 13 and 20 pounds. The cheese is dry-salted and matures for at least twenty-one days, including at least eighteen days in a cellar. Piercing the cheese helps develop its blue veins.
Bleu de Gex is mainly consumed locally, often featured alongside Comté and Morbier. It's known for its mild blue cheese flavor, with hazelnut and mushroom aromas and a slight tang. It can be enjoyed cold, in sauces, or melted in a raclette.
Named after the Pays de Gex, this semi-soft blue cheese is made following strict guidelines, including using only Montbéliard cow milk. It's milder and younger than other French blue cheeses. Each wheel is marked with "Gex." However, due to US regulations on "soft cheese," Bleu de Gex cannot be sold in the United States.
Key Facts About Bleu de Gex Cheese
| Country of Origin | France |
| Specific Origin | Haut-Jura, Bourg-en-Bresse |
| Certification | AOC (1977), AOP (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized |
| Rind | Natural, brushed |
| Texture | Creamy |
| Flavor | Mild, with a hint of mushroom |
| Colors | Ivory with blue-green veins |
| Forms | Wheels |
| Age | 3 weeks minimum |
| Rennet Type | Animal |
